Tips & Ideas for Low-maintenance Landscaping Around Raised Decks

A raised deck can completely transform an outdoor living space, and it doesn't take much to turn the space around it from good to great. Low-maintenance landscaping can make a raised deck look beautiful without requiring constant upkeep. Smart plant choices, proper drainage, and thoughtful deck design can help homeowners spend less time maintaining their yards and more time enjoying them.

Tips for Raised Deck Landscaping

Be Smart with Greenery

Choosing the right plants is one of the most important parts of low-maintenance landscaping. Native plants are often the best option because native species naturally adapt to local weather and soil conditions. That means they typically require less watering, fertilizing, and pruning than non-native varieties. Besides native species, any other low-growing, drought-tolerant plants will also work well for deck-based landscaping.

Low-maintenance choices for St. Louis include:

• Boxwood shrubs like dwarf English boxwood
• Hydrangeas
• Ornamental grasses like fescue
• Sedum and other succulents
• Ground cover plants like creeping thyme
• Clumping perennials like purple coneflower

Consider Drainage

Proper drainage also plays a major role in landscaping around raised decks. Poor drainage can lead to muddy areas, standing water, erosion, and damage to deck supports over time.

Helpful drainage strategies for these types of projects include:

• Sloping the soil away from the home's foundation
• Installing gravel underneath
• Avoiding overcrowded garden beds

Plan for Year-round Enjoyment

To create visual interest no matter the season, mix evergreen plants with seasonal species. For example, boxwoods provide greenery throughout the winter, while hydrangeas add seasonal blooms.

Plants aren't the only way to create texture throughout the year, though. You can also incorporate decorative stone borders, fun landscaping lighting, raised flower beds, and seating areas under the deck.

Create a Budget

Landscaping projects can range from simple DIY projects to full outdoor renovations. Creating a realistic budget early helps homeowners prioritize features that offer the greatest value. If your budget ends up being too much for right now, you can phase projects to make your dream space more attainable—just on a longer timescale. When phasing, it's often best to start with foundational elements, like hardscape features and foundational plantings, before moving on to more decorative, surface-level enhancements.

Account for Maintenance

Low-maintenance landscaping doesn't mean no-maintenance landscaping. The goal is to reduce upkeep, not eliminate it entirely.

Ways to reduce maintenance for raised deck landscaping include:

• Mulching
• Planting native species
• Choosing low-growing, drought-tolerant plants
• Using durable edging materials

Know When to Ask for Help

Some projects are simple enough to DIY. Others require professional planning, especially when drainage, grading, or structural concerns are involved.

Landscaping Ideas for Raised Decks

The following landscaping design ideas are simple DIY projects that most homeowners can tackle alone:

• Add ornamental grasses for added texture and easy upkeep
• Use boxwoods or other shrubs to frame stairs
• Plant low-growing groundcover beneath the deck
• Create layered flower beds
• Add decorative stone borders
• Incorporate landscape lighting

FAQs

How is landscaping around a raised deck different from landscaping around a ground-level deck?

Raised decks create unique landscaping challenges; landscaping around raised decks often requires additional drainage and erosion control solutions to protect both the deck and home.

Which plants are ideal for low-maintenance landscaping around a deck?

Some of the best low-maintenance plants for St. Louis homes include boxwood, hydrangeas, fescue, sedum, and purple coneflower. These plants typically require less upkeep while still adding strong visual interest to the outdoor space.